Eric Paton is pretty confident in his capability to traverse the nation on bike this summer, despite not starting the sport until post-retirement earlier this year.

The Toronto man was determined when he retired form the workforce in January that he wouldn鈥檛 retire from life in general. With a gentle nudge from his wife, while preparing for retirement, Paton wrote a plan for 2024 and 2025.

It started with three months in trade school learning skills to use later down the road in a volunteer capacity with agencies such as Habitat for Humanity.

Cycling was also on the list.

鈥淚鈥檓 not a bike rider, or I was not a bike rider then, but I thought 鈥榯hat鈥檚 something I could do鈥�,鈥� Paton said.

In anticipation, he got a bike in late 2023 and set it up on a trainer in the basement.

Went to Spain for a bit, since learning Spanish was on the list, and when he returned, joined a cycling club. Now daily rides having him feeling ready to roll.

Inspired by a few groups on social media, he looked around for a group to cross the continent with. A plan with both a Canadian group and an American group fell through and he thought maybe solo was the way to go.

A social guy he figures he鈥檒l make friends camping each night and at food banks he visits along the way.

In his quest to 鈥減edal for purpose鈥� he connected with Food Banks Canada and aims to raise $100,000 for the agency鈥檚 After the Bell program.

When schools wind down for the summer, it can spell the end of a healthy season for students who rely on breakfast programs and hot lunches for their daily nourishment.

Paton once met a principal who 鈥� in the absence of programs 鈥� kept bread and sandwich meat on hand for just such occasions. As a parent himself it was an eye-opening and heartbreaking thing to think about.

鈥淭here are so many kids. You don鈥檛 know, you don鈥檛 know their story and they鈥檙e going to school hungry,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 just a guy who is retired and think maybe I could do a little bit to help.鈥�

He aims to raise $100,000 for the program with the cross-Canada trek.

Setting off on the first full day of summer from Victoria, Paton plans to land in St. John鈥檚 Nfld. with a couple weeks left in summer 鈥� to hang out with his kids before they head back to class.

Paton is set to leave Victoria early Friday (June 21) morning and head for the Swartz Bay ferry in North Saanich. Follow the trip or donate online at . Learn more about his philosophy on 鈥渞etiring from the workforce鈥� on Instagram @.